Recommended Primary Winches for CD 36

[John Stone]

My 34 year old Lewmar 44s are hanging on by a thread. The bronze and aluminum internal components have eaten the aluminum up. I've kept them operational but they need to be replaced. I would keep them if I could located the replacement parts I need--but no luck. It was not a very good design anyway. So, I am gathering info on what will be a replacement plan.

Does anyone have recommendations? I'd like to keep them bronze. Certainly ST. Size? The 44s have plenty of power. But, I'm considering the 40s. Anyone have the Lewmar 40 Ocean series? Other winches you like. Thoughts?

Thanks.

[Jim Walsh]

John,
I have no experience with the size 40 or 44 but I do have a pair of the Lewmar Ocean Series size 30 two speed bronze self tailers. They are very robust and I highly recommend them. I've checked the schematics and they are essentially the same in the larger sizes. I bought a spare set of the self-tailing jaws and the normal complement of pawls and springs. They are very simple to dismantle and service and require no special tools.
Here's a picture of one of them at work offshore.

[Tom Keevil]

We have had bronze Ocean 40 ST's for 13 years, often sailing on 2-5 month trips in the summers. That is a lot of use, and they have never given us a speck of trouble. They are powerful enough for our 33 - don't know about a 36. They are easy to maintain. Ours only get polished by friction of the lines, so don't look like Jim's. They have a salty green color that we like, and remarkably matches well with all the other bronze items on the boat.

[David Morton]

I also am using Lewmar ST 30's on my CD31. No trouble with my 130 Genoa in a stiff breeze. The two speed action is also a plus. Just bought a pair, to replace my very old and worn 30's, at Mauri Pro for $761 each for the bronze 30BST.
Good luck,

David

[Matt Cawthorne]

I have a 1982 CD 36 and it has Lewmar 42STs. They are holding up very well except for the self tailers. They are the only aluminum parts on the winch and the ribs that grab the sheets are corroding away and getting rough. That makes them eat the lines. Lewmar only made the aluminum self tailing parts for 1 or two years and, of course, cannot sell me new ones or even tell me what aluminum they are made from. Some day when I get ambitious I will try and weld aluminum back on the ribs and file them to shape. As I age I wonder if a higher mechanical advantage would be preferred.

[John Stone]

Well, I had hoped to hear from more Cape Dory 36 owners about the primary winches they are using.

Anyone else?

[Jim_B]

John - I have bronze Lewmar 43ST and somedays I wish they were larger.